Sermon for July 28

The reading

Hebrews 4:14--5:10

4:14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

5:1 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; 6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
The message

Melchizedek is part of a very odd encounter in the early days of God's communication and saving work in the world. We meet him in and only in Genesis 14

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

¹⁸ Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, ¹⁹ and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
²⁰ And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

²¹ The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, ²³ that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ²⁴ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me

The writer of Hebrews picks up on this to answer a very specific question plaguing, nagging at and dulling the church, how can Jesus be the High Priest, how can he offer a sacrifice of atonement once and for all.  The High Priest was selected in different ways but was always a party insider, with the right training, education and family lineage. Jesus had none of that.  The main responsibility, just for the high priest was to offer a sacrifice annually in the holiest of holies, the inner most part of the temple. This sacrifice was for the forgiveness of their own sins as well as the sins of the community.  (today, we know our sins are forgiven because Christ died and rose again, we hear it in scripture, experience it in communion.  then, people knew because of this sacrifice and God's promise)

The writer of Hebrews, their answer is simple, Jesus is like Melchizedek.  Melchizedek was also an outsider, not part of any of the traditional claims to authority the people in charge of Jerusalem had, He is the one who blesses Abram, the great partaricah of Israel, he is the one who accepts Abrams tithe, the 10 percent that goes to God, Melchizedek is part of God's plan, unexpected, untraditional but of great importance. 

In addition to understanding that Christ is our great High Priest, the one who's sacrifice brings the forgiveness of sins, this text today invites the church to seek diverse, different and creative leaders, lifting up the gifts and skills of all people, God has never been about business as usual. 

Sermon for July 21

The reading 

Hebrews 2:10-18

10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me." 14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

The message

This Sunday about 20 of us we gathered for worship in one of the school classrooms. This was during heat wave. Our sanctuary is air conditioned but we have other churches that share the space with us who worship in the non-air conditioned gym, think outside temperature plus 10.  We
rearranged the spaces so that all the congregations could worship in air conditioned spaces

I spoke about what we needed for church, we had bulletins and hymnals so that everyone would participate, we had the keyboard and music so we could sing as the church has for 2000 years, we had communion, we had a bowl of water to remember we are baptized, a cross to remember we gather around the good news that Christ is Risen and that's about all we needed.

Paul's letter to the Hebrew was written to restore a community of faith, I spoke about hat we did with the visiting group, how it helped restore my energy and faith, the things that I witnessed, the faith and joy of the experience, how this group came together to do hard work, support each other, care for people and encourage one another. It was a hot, uncomfortable week.  lots of things (crowds, smells, heat and humidity, anxiety about the city, discomfort with an ever changing plan) made things tough but they were all overcome with faith and community.  I also shared the same hope with our visitors, that our time together might transform both communities, filling us with new fire for ministry.

Sermon for July 14

Sorry I'm a little behind on posting, With no manuscripts, hosting a visiting youth group from Michigan and a vacation, its been a hectic month. 

The reading

Hebrews 1:1-4

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs

The message

This week we welcomed 28 young adults and leaders from churches in Midland Michigan.  We shared our worship. Representatives from each congregation spoke about and then shared How we see, experience God at Church and in the world around us. Comments included music, community, answered prayer, conversations, awe at sties, nature and finding good in bad,  

The whole mission trip (one third service work, one third interfaith dialogue and one third tourism) centered on the opening verses of Hebrews Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.  I shared some background on this letter (it was written to empower and restore a once spirit-filled and excited Christian community that had grown dull and confused over time).  That is one thing we wanted to see both of our communities experience from this trip. 

Since we were going to work on so many different projects and see so many different cultures, people, churches and sites I wanted people to think what it means to say God speaks in many and various ways, what that means for leaders in the church and how we live together keeping Jesus at the heart of our faith. 

sermon for July 7

The reading

Psalm 40:1-10

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

The message (well a rough outline)

Today is our last Sunday with the Psalms. We have gone through 4 different psalms, ancient songs written to be used during worship in the temple, rooted in the individual faith experiences people’s joys and frustrations as well as the communal experiences of God’s long absence and great presence..   

Our first reading, at the start of June was Psalm 113 focused on the name of the Lord 1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore.  Words of great faith and joy, shared when we experience good things, when things are good, the world seems fair, the rightoues are rewarded, the best person wins.  Perhaps used during a time of unexpected victory,

Then we heard Psalm 69, a desperate plea for hope in hopeless times:  1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.    Frustration, anger a time when things fall apart and God seems busy doing something else. 

Our last 2 psalms, psalm 27 last week the Lord is my light and my salvation  When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh — my adversaries and foes — they shall stumble and fall.    Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident and pslam 40 today, they combine both, the reality of waiting and the assurance of God’s promises are always good.  They speak honestly, knowing there is time when people struggle and a time when people celebrate and both of those are done in faith.

These psalms also demand testimony, I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. a sharing of faith experiences, of times we have seen and know God is with us, of times when we doubted it severely only to see God’s promises come true.  

On the 4^th of July, I was invited to my friend’s apartment in Tudor City, right across from the UN to watch the fireworks,  Jen and I have gone several times and the views of the Macys fireworks show were incredible, it is an amazing spot to view the fireworks from. Of course, that’s only true when the fireworks are on the East River near 34^th- 42^nd st.  This year, they were down near the Brooklyn bridge, a place you cannot even partially see from 42^nd st and the East river.  There is no way we could see them.  I thought something was up when I arrived at Tudor city and there were no barricades, no security checkpoints, no one asking for proof of a connection to access the area,  I just assumed it was early (despite being my normal time). when I got upstairs and didn’t see any barges or boats on the river, I assumed they were on the way, when people told me, last time they were there, you couldn’t see, I thought, well maybe the boats are bigger now or im willing hang further out the window. There was a chance we could see from the roof deck but that was closed for renovation (a long term project I thought they might finish by 9 pm on the 4^th of July despite no one working on it at 7 pm),  Pretend that we could see, despite knowing full well where the Brooklyn bridge was in proximity to us and knowing all those buildings between us would not move.   Of course, eventually, I faced reality, there would be no fireworks for us. it turned out to be a good night, great conversations with some other stubborn guests, and a beautiful, almost Manhattanhenge sunset behind the Chrysler building,

The psalms invite us to face the reality of suffering, inequality, unfairness and strife knowing that God is present with us.   That is what we announce to the great congregation (that being the whole world)